Gil Gerard, the actor best known for playing the title role in Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, has died aged 82. The Hollywood star passed away on Tuesday morning in a hospice, with his wife Janet by his side, after a short battle with a rare and viciously aggressive form of cancer.
The news was confirmed by Janet in a Facebook post shared shortly after his death, marking the end of a career that made Gerard a familiar face to millions of television viewers during the late 1970s and early 1980s.
“My Soulmate Lost His Fight”: Wife Confirms His Death
“Early this morning Gil — my soulmate — lost his fight with a rare and viciously aggressive form of cancer,” Janet wrote.
“From the moment when we knew something was wrong to his death this morning was only days. No matter how many years I got to spend with him it would never have been enough.
“Hold the ones you have tightly and love them fiercely.”
The post immediately drew tributes from fans of Buck Rogers and colleagues who remembered Gerard as a charismatic leading man whose career spanned decades of television and film.
Gil Gerard’s Final Message to Fans, Released After His Death
Shortly after confirming his passing, Janet shared a posthumous message written by Gerard himself, intended to be published only after his death.
“If you are reading this, then Janet has posted it like I asked her to,” the message began.
“My life has been an amazing journey. The opportunities I’ve had, the people I’ve met and the love I have given and received have made my 82 years on the planet deeply satisfying.”
Gerard reflected on his life with gratitude rather than regret, writing about his journey “from Arkansas to New York to Los Angeles, and finally, to my home in North Georgia with my amazing wife, Janet, of 18 years.”
He ended with a line that resonated deeply with fans of his sci-fi legacy:
“It’s been a great ride, but inevitably one that comes to a close as mine has.
Don’t waste your time on anything that doesn’t thrill you or bring you love.
See you out somewhere in the cosmos.”Gil Gerard death: Buck Rogers in the 25th Century actor dies after fight with rare cancer
What Was Gil Gerard’s Net Worth at the Time of His Death?
At the time of his death, Gil Gerard’s net worth was estimated at around $1 million, according to widely cited celebrity finance estimates.
Unlike modern streaming-era stars, Gerard built his career during a period when:
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TV actors were paid modestly by today’s standards
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Long-term syndication deals were limited
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Cult sci-fi fame rarely translated into major backend earnings
His income came primarily from:
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Television salaries
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Film appearances
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Convention appearances and fan events
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Residuals from syndicated programming
Despite the longevity of Buck Rogers as a cult property, Gerard did not accumulate the kind of generational wealth seen by later franchise stars — a reality common among actors of his era.
A Television Icon: Buck Rogers and Beyond
Gil Gerard shot to fame as Captain William “Buck” Rogers in NBC’s Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, which aired from 1979 to 1981. The light-hearted sci-fi series, adapted from the original character created in the 1920s, became a cult favourite and cemented Gerard as a genre star.
Alongside co-stars Erin Gray (Col. Wilma Deering) and Thom Christopher (Hawk), Gerard carried the series through two seasons after it launched as a made-for-TV film that later served as the show’s pilot.
Before Buck Rogers, Gerard appeared in more than 300 episodes of NBC’s daytime drama The Doctors, playing Dr. Alan Stewart — a role that gave him long-running television stability before primetime fame arrived.
After Buck Rogers, he continued working steadily, with roles in Sidekicks, Nightingales, E.A.R.T.H. Force, and a six-episode stint on Days of Our Lives in 1997.
His later film work included a supporting role in The Nice Guys (2016) opposite Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe, introducing him to a new generation of viewers.
Health Struggles and Career Setbacks
Gerard was candid about the personal challenges that affected both his health and his career. At his heaviest, he weighed around 350 pounds — a struggle he acknowledged cost him roles during an era when television leading men were expected to maintain a specific image.
In a 1990 People magazine interview, Gerard estimated he had lost around $1 million in work opportunities due to weight-related casting decisions.
He later addressed the issue publicly in the Discovery Health Channel documentary Action Hero Makeover, undergoing gastric bypass surgery and losing more than 140 pounds in under a year.
Personal Life and Family
Gil Gerard was married four times and shared a son, Gib, with actress Connie Sellecca, to whom he was married from 1979 until 1987.
He also maintained a long-standing friendship with former U.S. President Bill Clinton, a connection that occasionally surfaced in interviews over the years.
In his final years, Gerard lived a quieter life in North Georgia with his wife Janet, away from Hollywood’s spotlight.
Remembering Gil Gerard’s Legacy
While his net worth may have been modest by Hollywood standards, Gil Gerard’s cultural legacy far outweighs the numbers.
For fans, he will always be Buck Rogers — the square-jawed, wise-cracking hero who brought optimism and adventure to Saturday-night television. For others, he was a working actor who navigated fame, setbacks, and reinvention with honesty.
His final words offered a fitting farewell from a man whose career was defined by exploration — on screen and off.
“See you out somewhere in the cosmos.”
Gil Gerard FAQs
What did Gil Gerard die from?
He died following a short battle with a rare and aggressive form of cancer.
How old was Gil Gerard when he died?
He was 82 years old.
What was Gil Gerard’s net worth?
His net worth was estimated at approximately $1 million at the time of his death.
What was Gil Gerard best known for?
He was best known for starring in Buck Rogers in the 25th Century.
Who was Gil Gerard married to?
At the time of his death, he was married to Janet Gerard.
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